Hampstead Middle School administrator put on leave

HAMPSTEAD — The assistant principal at Hampstead Middle School was placed on administrative leave a month after being hired because of allegations of misconduct at her former school.

Jacqueline Capello was placed on leave late last month after administrators in the Timberlane Regional School District learned that a complaint had been filed by a parent alleging Capello had videotaped a male student at Henry Wilson Memorial School in Farmington using a school bathroom.

An attorney representing the student and his family notified the Farmington Middleton School District about the complaint Aug. 15.

“On Aug. 20, the Hampstead School District placed the newly appointed assistant principal on administrative leave pending an investigation of allegations” that were cited in a newspaper on Aug. 20, according to Timberlane Regional School District Superintendent Earl Metzler.

No information about the alleged incident turned up during the school district’s background check before Capello was hired in mid-July.

She was hired at an annual salary of $85,000.

The Hampstead School Board has supported an administrative plan to help cover the assistant principal duties while the investigation proceeds, Metzler said.

A substitute teacher will take over Rubin’s part-time physical education teaching assignment.

“Teaching and learning, along with the safety and well-being of each and every student in the Hampstead School District remain our primary concerns,” Metzler said.

“The community’s confidence in our continued ability to provide an environment that fosters these goals is paramount. We believe this administrative plan, along with the ongoing support of our most dedicated staff members, will achieve this goal.”